I can never replace Divyadarshini: Priya Bhavani Shankar

Television actress-host Priya Bhavani Shankar is currently enjoying the best phase of her life. Priya, who began her career as a news reader with a news channel, never thought that she would be playing female lead in Kalyanam Mudhal Kaadhal Varai, a remake of Ye Hai Mohabbatein on Vijay TV. “I know nothing about acting, but somehow, I am learning it slowly. I shoot 10 days in a month for the soap. What is toughest is that you need to be someone onscreen who you’re not really,” she says.

Priya says, “Ye Hai Mohabbatein had a huge viewership and comparisons between this version and that are bound to happen. The person who did my role in Hindi is an experienced actress. Here, I am trying my level best to live up to the character.”

Priya is also simultaneously hosting Jodi Number One (season 8). Ask her how she feels about replacing the popular host Divyadarshini (DD), she says, “Oh, I can never replace DD, who is more talented and has greater potential than me. But all I can say is — I enjoy hosting shows more than acting because the latter is really not my cup of tea, whereas hosting a show is.”

On a lighter note, Priya says it is tough to shoot continuously with a saree draped around her. “But the interesting part is that, I love to spend time with Nivashini (Pooja), who plays my kid in the serial. She’s really a sweet kid who doesn’t throw tantrums or trouble you. She’s very mature and acts above her age. If I get married, I pray to god that I should get a kid like her,” she laughs.

Priya gets serious when she says this will be her first and last serial. “Though many offers are pouring in, I am not taking up anything because I feel I am better at anchoring shows. Definitely, this would be my last stint as far as soaps are concerned,” she says.

Kalyanam Mudhal Kaadhal Varai is the story of how two people start off as sworn enemies but are brought together by fate due to concern for a child.